Hollywood
Chris Cornell to perform title song for new Bond film
MUMBAI: Film producers Michael G. Wilson and Barbara Broccoli, MGM and Sony Pictures Entertainment have announced that Chris Cornell will perform the main title song You Know My Name for the new James Bond adventure Casino Royale.
Cornell is the singer/songwriter behind Soundgarden, Audioslave and Temple of the Dog and has written the song in collaboration with Bond composer David Arnold.
Daniel Craig stars as the new “007” in Casino Royale directed by Martin Campbell. The film will be released worldwide by Columbia Pictures on 17 November 2006.
Cornell’s upcoming release with Audioslave marks the 11th album of his career. He has also enjoyed success with the groups Soundgarden and Temple of the Dog, as well as his own critically acclaimed solo album in 1999 Euphoria Morning. In addition, he has collaborated with such groups as Alice in Chains and made contributions to other soundtracks.
Columbia Pictures president, worldwide music Lia Vollack says, “I’ve always loved Chris’ work, both as a writer and as an artist, and had hoped someday to find the right film to inspire him. His music is both soulful and tough. It was the perfect complement to Daniel Craig and Casino Royale.”
Cornell joins such distinguished performers as Madonna, Sheryl Crow, Paul McCartney & Wings, Carly Simon, Shirley Bassey, Tom Jones, Tina Turner, Gladys Knight, Sheena Easton, Duran Duran and Garbage who have performed title songs for previous James Bond adventures.
Cornell will be among the select few who have both written and performed an ‘007’ title song (others include McCartney and Wings, Crow and Madonna).
Hollywood
Disney unifies streaming, film, TV and games under Dana Walden
Debra O’Connell to chair Disney Entertainment Television in new setup
LOS ANGELES: The Walt Disney Company is pressing play on a more tightly woven future. As audiences hop between cinema screens, streaming apps and game worlds, the media giant is stitching its storytelling arms into one coordinated machine under Dana Walden.
Set to take charge as president and chief creative officer on March 18, Walden will oversee a newly unified Disney Entertainment structure that brings together streaming, film, television and the company’s fast-expanding games and digital business. She will report directly to incoming chief executive officer Josh D’Amaro.
The thinking is simple. Whether viewers are watching on Disney+, heading to the cinema or diving into a game, Disney wants the experience to feel like chapters of the same story. Walden summed it up as strengthening the emotional thread between Disney’s characters and its audiences, wherever they choose to engage.
The leadership reshuffle reads like a carefully cast ensemble. Alan Bergman continues as chairman of Disney Entertainment, studios, steering film production, marketing and distribution while sharing oversight of direct to consumer.
Streaming gets a dual command. Joe Earley and Adam Smith step in as co-presidents of direct to consumer, jointly handling strategy and financial performance across Disney+ and Hulu. Earley will also guide content strategy, while Smith retains his role as chief product and technology officer across Disney Entertainment and ESPN.
A new chair enters the frame with Debra O’Connell taking on the role of chairman, Disney Entertainment Television. She will oversee an expansive slate that includes ABC Entertainment, National Geographic and Hulu Originals, while continuing to supervise ABC News and owned stations.
Gaming, once a side quest, is now a central storyline. Sean Shoptaw, executive vice president, games and digital entertainment, moves into the Disney Entertainment fold. His remit includes partnerships such as the collaboration with Epic Games, aimed at building a Disney universe linked to Fortnite.
Elsewhere, John Landgraf remains chairman of FX, reporting to Walden, while Asad Ayaz continues as chief marketing and brand officer, reporting to both D’Amaro and Walden.
The message behind the reshuffle is clear. Disney is no longer thinking in silos of screens but in stories that travel. And with Walden at the creative helm, the company is betting that a single, seamless narrative can keep audiences hooked, whether they are watching, scrolling or playing.
